Turkish security officials indicted in D.C. embassy protests

By Laura Kelly - The Washington Times - Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Federal prosecutors in the District announced Tuesday that indictments have been issued for Turkish security officials who attacked peaceful protesters near the Turkish ambassador’s residence in May.

A D.C. Superior Court grand jury issued indictments for 15 Turkish security officials and four civilians — two Americans and two Canadians — accusing them of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington in May. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced the indictments.

Only two of the accused, both Americans, have been arrested: Sinan Narin, 45, of McLean, Virginia. and Eyup Yildrim, 50, of Manchester, New Jersey, were arrested in June after D.C. police had issued warrants.

Mr. Narin and Mr. Yildrim are due to appear in court on Sept. 7. All of the others — including Canadians Ahmet Cengizhan Dereci, 37, of Toronto, and Mahmut Sami Ellialti, 34 — remain at large.

According to police, Mr. Erdogan’s security detail attacked pro-Kurdish protesters near the ambassador’s residence on May 16 as the Turkish president’s motorcade was driving by. Mr. Erdogan was returning from a visit at the White House. Video footage of the melee showed Turkish security personnel beating, choking and kicking men and women.

D.C. officials and members of Congress denounced the Turkish security officials for the violence.

Turkish officers left the country before any arrests could be made, but D.C. police warned that they would be arrested if they return to the U.S.

The security officers face varying combinations of charges that include assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault and assault with significant bodily injury. The indictments named:

⦁ Turgut Akar, 41.

⦁ Yusuf Ayar, age not available.

⦁ Ismail Dalkiran, 41.

⦁ Ismail Ergunduz, 41.

⦁ Servet Erkan, 42.

⦁ Tugay Erkan, 26.

⦁ Harrettin Eren, age not available.

⦁ Ahmet Karabay, 53.

⦁ Feride Kayasan, 26.

⦁ Muhsin Kose, age not available.

⦁ Lutfu Kutluca, 46.

⦁ Mehmet Sarman, 25.